LAHORE, Dec 09 (INP): Jointly organized by Information Department, Punjab government, Foundation for Promotion of Academic Collaboration (FPAC) and German Press Foundation (DPV), the International Journalism Conference 2017 with theme “Media and Society, Future and Beyond” was kicked off here on Saturday. Spokesman of Punjab government Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan while representing Chief Minister, inaugurated the opening session participated by delegations of senior journalists from Germany, Afghanistan, Iran, Spain, India, USA, Malta and Denmark. Speaking at the opening session of the conference, the chief guest read message from Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif who welcomed the participants and delegations of the conference and emphasized Universities of Pakistan to learn experience and vies shared by acclaimed foreign journalists. “Media from Pakistan and abroad will sought after solution of problems faced by Pakistan and other countries as well” he hoped. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan applauded bravery of Pakistani journalists who even take risk of life while covering incidents of terrorism. He pointed out that number of terrorism has been significantly decreased by initiatives taken by the government, the nation will never bow down before terrorism, reiterated the spokesman. Commending the role of electronic media in particular he said that by adopting principle of balance reporting and impartiality they can make public opinion in even better manner. Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan assured the journalist community that “we are with you”. President of German Press Foundation Christian Zarm, Director International Mrdia, DPV Shams ul Haq, Hanns.H. Mielke (Malta), Axel Rahmlow (USA), Klaus J. Stanek Nierenz and Karl-Heinz Roghofer (Germany), Grit Buttner Berthold (Denmark), Bahadury Ainuddin (Afghanistan), Faimah Shokri (Iran), senior professor of Journalism Dr Mughees uddin Sheikh, Dr Anjum Niaz and president of the conference Aamir Rafique also addressed the opening session. Panel discussions were also part of the international conference. INP/SB/AK